USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume III > Part 89
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GLEN NORMAN WILLIAMS, one of Chautau- qua county's industrious producers, a man who has farmed in the county since early manhood, and who, by his steady life and honest purpose, has become esteemed among the people with whom he has come in contact, and especially in the neighborhood of Cone- wango Valley, was born Jan. 17, 1872, at Leon, Catta- raugus county, N. Y. But his life of industry has been passed almost wholly within the borders of Chautauqua county.
Four generations of his branch of the Williams family have had residence in America. His parents were Norman and Rebecca ( Ross) Williams, both of whom were born in Leon, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and his grandfather was Davis Williams. The record states that Davis Williams "was born in Scotland, and came to this country in a very early day." That may have been so; Davis Williams may have been born in Scotland, but the family is not therefore necessarily Scottish ; in fact, both the given name and the patrony- mic of the American progenitor are distinctly Welsh; and it is more than probable that Davis Williams be- longed to the ancient British, or Welsh family of that name. It is one of the oldest of ancient British families, and since very early times has been very numerously spread in Wales, and had prominent part in early Brit- ish history. One of the early Welsh branches of the house of Williams traced lineal descent from Marchu- del of Cyan, Lord of Abergelen, in Denbighshire, of one of the fifteen tribes of North Wales. He lived in the time of Roderic Maur (Roderic, the Great), king of the Britons, about 849. Of him, through Edynfid Fycham, was descended the royal house of Tudor, and, accord- ing to an authentic early record, the genealogy of Marchudel is deduced from Brutus, the first king of the Britons. The record, regarding the Williams family, states : "This most ancient family, of the principality of Wales, deduces its pedigree, with singular perspicuity, from Brutus, son of Silvius Posthumius, son of Ascan- eus, son of Aeneas, which Brutus was the first king of this island, and began to reign above eleven hundred years before the birth of Christ." Of course it is not possible, without exhaustive research, to indicate to which branch of the Williams family Glen Norman Williams belongs, but it is more than probable that his antecedents were Welsh, and not Scottish.
Glen Norman Williams received a public school edu- cation in the school of his native place, and since the closing of his school days he has spent practically all his time in farming occupations. By dint of steady direction of the plough, and intelligent observance of the developments of scientific farming, hut chiefly by concentration upon his work, he has succeeded, and is
now well established in the material comforts of this life. His name is good, his record is an honorable one, and his characteristics are kindly and charitable. He is a steady supporter of the Methodist church, an en- thusiastic member of the local Grange, and politically, he is affiliated with the Republican party, although he has not taken much part in political work. His com- munity spirit is wholehearted and inviting and during his life he has always followed local affairs with marked interest. giving what help, personal and financial, he has been able to. During the great war just ended so suc- cessfully, his part was not inconsequential; he was one of the stalwart men who, by increased labor and inten- sified efforts, sought to draw from the land an in- creased yield, to offset the ravages caused in allied countries by the terrible struggle then proceeding. America's part in the cause of right against the forces of him who would have set right at naught was a praiseworthy one; but her part was not only that which finds its place in history as a record of battles fought. But for the abnormal agricultural yield of this country during the years of struggle, the allies probably would not have had the strength to continue. Therefore to every home soldier, to every earnest farmer, is due a recording of his share in the ultimate decisive victory. Glen N. Williams is probably satisfied with the part, however small it may have appeared in the national aggregate, he took in the increased agricultural produc- tion of this country during the years of war. Without such individual efforts, the difficulties would have enor- mously increased, and the fight might not have been finally won. Mr. Williams also bore his proper share of the financial burden which came upon the home people during the struggle; he generously gave of his means to the various funds raised to meet national war needs. Mr. Williams is connected with the State Bank of Randolph, and he properly has place among the rep- resentative agriculturists of Chautauqua county, N. Y.
In Canada, Glen N. Williams was married to Mina May Saunders, who was born April 20, 1878, the daughter of Austin and May (Graves) Saunders. They have one child, Sara Ettie Aurrilla.
CASSIUS MARCELLUS C. HEWES-Chautau- qua county is famous for its excellent agricultural ad- vantages, and this is particularly true of Mayville, N. Y., a place which is the home of many prosperous and intelligent farmers. One of these, Cassius Marcellus C. Hewes, occupies a prominent place here and is well regarded as not only a farmer of unusual talents, but a man who combines keen business tactics in the disposi- tion of his production to the local markets hereabouts.
Cassius Marcellus C. Hewes was born in the town of Chautauqua, Feb. 18, 1844, a son of Robert P. and Olive ( Porter) Hewes. He received his education at the district schools of his native town, and after grad- uation from these institutions remained with his father on the latter's vast 500-acre farm. After the death of the elder man, Mr. Hewes inherited 200 acres of the old homestead estate, as well as the house, and he im- mediately set to work to rebuild the property, installing all the modern necessary improvements and remodeling the house until it is regarded as one of the finest struc- tures hereabouts. Mr. Hewes does a very profitable
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dairy business, and is the owner of forty sheep, ten cattle, as well as poultry and a splendid fruit farm. Mr. Hewes is very prominent in the social and club life of Mayville, and is a member of the local Grange here and has served as overseer. In politics he is a staunch adherer of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and served as assessor for twelve years, being one of the longest office holders. Mr. Hewes was one of a family of eight children, his other brothers and sisters being as follows: Mary J. Porter, deceased; John M., who married Lula Wellman, and is now de- ceased : Franklin M., who married Stella Wilkinson ; Delbert M., who married Marsh; Sidney M., who married, and is now the owner of a large farm in Dakota: Edward B. M., who married Florilla Tucker, and is at present engaged in the occupation of farming: Minnie, who became Mrs. Hatch and has one daughter. Florence L. M., who is a student in the schools of the region. Mr. Hewes, of this sketch, was exempt from service at the time of the Civil War on account of poor health. He is a splendid gentleman of the old school, of good clean thoughts, and his hobby is the keeping of a diary of local events, the contents of which is most interesting to all those who have the privilege of reading same. Mr. Hewes is one of the very prominent figures here and is looked up to, de- spite his considerable age, as a capable and efficient man of affairs.
JOHN EDWIN BRIGGS-Notable among the business men of Chautauqua county is John E. Briggs, who was born in Russell. Pa., Feb. 7, 1867, a son of William Washington and Louisa Ann (Gron) Briggs, the former named, a carpenter by trade, a Democrat in politics.
John E. Briggs received his education in the public schools of his native town, and after completing his studies took up the tinner's trade, which he has plied for nearly twenty years with remarkable success. Mr. Briggs is a Republican in politics, and that party finds in him a staunch upholder. He is also connected fi- nancially with the American National Bank of James- town, N. Y. In religious affiliation, Mr. Briggs is a member of the United Brethren church.
On Dec. 3, 1848, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage with Margaret Rowley, born in Sugar Grove, Pa., July 15, 1877, a daughter of Morrit Bemsley and Emma ( Ritor ) Rowley. To this union have been born two children: Sally Emma, May 23, 1912, and Morrit Wil- liam, Sept. 23. 1914.
Mr. Briges ranks among the more successful business men of Kiantone township, and he has a business record which any man might be proud of, for his course has ever been characterized by honorable dealing between himself and his fellowmen.
ODEL FREDERICK CREE-Since 1916, Mr. Cree. a More sinl carpenter and builder, has resided in the stage of Coloron, where he is well established :. a capable, rel: ble contractor. He is of Swedish birth and parentage, son of Charles E. and Sophie Louie ( Ander on) Cree, his father a farmer.
Core] F. Cree was born in Sweden, Feb. 14, 1872, was brouple to the United States in 1878, and spent his
youth on a farm in the town of Busti, Chautauqu county, N. Y. He attended Busti public schools, an upon arriving at suitable age learned the carpenter' trade. His ambition led him into the contracting busi ness in 1908, and in 1916 he bought his present residenc in the village of Celoron, and is there engaged in busi ness, well known and prosperous. In addition to hi building operations, he has a number of teams an engages in a general hauling and teaming business He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, an at tendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in poli tics independent.
Mr. Cree married, Dec. 25, 1919, in Jamestown, N. Y Elmo Maretta Sundholsn, born Feb. 25, 1878, in Farm ington, Pa., daughter of Charles and Louise Sundholst the former named a native of Sweden.
WILLIAM S. WINSLOW-Among the prominen farmers of Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. Y., shoul. be mentioned William S. Winslow, a native of West field, born April 6, 1870, on the farm whereon he nov (1921) resides, he being a member of the third genera tion of Winslows to reside there, this being the onl. farm in the township that has not gone out of the pos session of the original settlers. He is a son of Edward Hazelton and Martha M. (Cady) Winslow.
In the year 1825, Hazelton Winslow, of Paris Hil near Waterville, Oneida county, N. Y., came to West field, in company with others, in search of land whereor to settle and make a home. Mr. Winslow purchase 120 acres from the Holland Land Company, then re turned to his home, and the following year, 1826 returned and cleared a small portion of his purchase and with the help of others put up a log house consisting of two rooms, the first summer a blanket being used in place of a door. He then returned to Paris Hill, and on Jan. 11, 1827, married Abigail Merrell, and in th following April, accompanied by his wife, made the journey to Westfield by way of the Erie canal to Buf falo, from there to Barcelona by boat, from there to Westfield by a wagon drawn by oxen. There thei seven children were born, the oldest daughter, Esther born in December, 1827, died at the age of ninety years and the second daughter, Mrs. Sarah E. Walker, i. now a resident of Detroit, Mich., aged ninety years, the last survivor of the family. Mr. Winslow disposed o' fifty acres of his farm to Cyrus Bickford. The death of Mr. Winslow occurred in the year 1845. The re maining seventy acres were cultivated by his son, Ed ward Hazelton Winslow, until his death in 1915, ager eighty-three years, and since then by William S Winslow, of this review.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, o: whom four are now living: Edward, of Wesleyville Pa .; William S., who now operates the farm; Bert who resides in Erie, P'a., and one daughter, Alice M Brady. The two children of William S. Winslow are the fourth generation to reside on the farm.
MASON A. GILBERT, respected and prosperou: farmer at Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he has lived for more than forty years, is a native of that place, born Oct. 1, 1875, the son of Edwin S. and lda ( Stone) Gilbert. His paternal ancestry connects
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with a pioneer family of Livingston county, N. Y., Ori- son Gilbert having been born in Sparta, of that county, where he possessed a farming property. Edwin S. Gilbert was born in Poland township, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and his wife, Ida (Stone) Gilbert, mother of Mason A. Gilbert, was a native of Ellington, so that Mason A. Gilbert comes of a family long asso- ciated with Chautauqua county.
Mason A. Gilbert was educated in the Ellington pub- lic school, and eventually became a student at the high school of the place, and in due course creditably gradu- ated therefrom. Thereafter, he took earnestly and in- dustriously to farming. He is skilled in agriculture, and possessed of the steady purpose without which agri- culture rarely yields material success, and he has pros- pered well by tilling the soil. He has a good farming estate, and has the esteem of his neighbors. Politically, Mr. Gilbert has given allegiance to the Republican party, but he has not actively interested himself in na- tional politics. During the World War, he substantially contributed to the various funds prompted to satisfac- torily prosecute the war, and he has always manifested a marked interest in local affairs. He is a member of the Free Methodist church of Ellington, and as such manifests the possession of devout and sincere convic- tion upon religious observances and service in general, and definite, outspoken opinion of many practices of life as they appear to a man of rigid Christian purpose.
Mason A. Gilbert married, March 24, 1892, Mary Luce, born May 24, 1876, daughter of Joseph and Lucy (Simons) Luce, of Ellington. To them have been born three children : Ida, born on Christmas Day, 1897; Beulah, born July 3, 1899; and Martin, born April 18. 1905. The children have been brought up in a whole- some Christian environment, in which the artificialities of the present day have no place.
EUGENE A. HOAG, who for almost fifty years has been a responsible and successful farmer in Chautauqua county, N. Y., near Gerry, was born Nov. 17, 1847, the son of Warren and Elmira (Day) Hoag. During the early years of Eugene A. Hoag, the family lived in Pennsylvania. He was educated, primarily, at the academy at Walford, Pa. Coming to New York State, the family settled in Chautauqua county, and Eugene A. Hoag acquired a good farming property, and prof- ited materially in his operation of it. He has been a member of the local Grange for many years. During the war just ended, he subscribed as much as he was able to the various funds raised for the purposes and prosecution of the war, and in other ways manifested an ardent, patriotic spirit.
On Feb. 27, 1871, at Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Eugene A. Hoag was married to lona M .. daugh- ter of Joseph and Emily (Terhune) Conet. His wife was born in Ellington, Aug. 5, 1851, and they became the parents of three children : Morrow J., born Dec. 19, 1871, died Feb. 21, 1016; Milicent A., became the wife of Carlton A. Wright; Edith D.
HORACE O. FISHER, respected and prosperous farmer of Falconer, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is well known among the agriculturists of that section of the
State, and has a good record both as a man of upright life and high moral characteristics and as a skillful farmer. He was born in Warren county, N. Y., April 23, 1853, a son of Ezra J. Fisher.
Horace O. Fisher attended the common school ad- jacent to his home, gaining a practical education thereby, and later gave his attention to farming operations, be- coming in course of time the owner of a productive farm in Falconer, which he has cultivated and improved to a great extent, being ever ready to consider the adop- tion of modern scientific methods of farming which has stood the test as to cost of operation and increase or superiority of yield. Mr. Fisher is a Republican in politics, believing that the principles and policies of that party are for the greatest good of the people-at- large, and holds membership in Grange No. 528, Patrons of Husbandry, of Ellington.
Mr. Fisher married, Dec. 27, 1882, in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., Miranda Lees, daughter of Samuel and (Toothill) Lees, both natives of England, born in Halifax and Bradford, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are the parents of one child, Ethel Violet, born in the town of Poland, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1883; she became the wife of Austin Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of four children: Raymond, Lillian, Irene and Caroline.
ELMER M. JOHNSON, an energetic and success- ful farmer of Chautauqua county, N. Y., owner of a good agricultural property in the Gerry district of that county, was born Dec. 14. 1880, the son of August and Gustava (Anderson) Johnson.
In his youth he attended the Gerry public schools, and after leaving school applied himself industriously to farming occupations upon his father's farm, and eventually he married and became possessed of a farm- ing property of his own in the district. He is a worthy representative of the Chautauqua county suc- cessful farmer, hard working, enterprising, and hos- pitable; a man of strong religious conviction, and definite views upon many subjects. He is an ardent Methodist, and a good supporter of the local church which he has attended since his youth.
Mr. Johnson is one of those who, by successful pro- duction, are helping to keep Chautauqua county in con- tinued prosperity. He is of the enterprising younger generation of the county's agriculturists, and in the operation of his farm is ever ready to adopt modern methods which have been proved to be more advan- tageous than those formerly used and so he is likely to continue to increase the value of his farm holding. During the late war, he heartily cooperated with the government in its plan to bring increasing yield of foodstuffs from American farms. In that way, he had an appreciable share in the supreme national effort. He also patriotically contributed, to his uttermost, to the war loans and other funds raised for the necessities of the war.
Elmer M. Johnson married, March 21, 1912, in Fal- coner, Chautauqua county, N. Y .. Lillian, daughter of C. J. and Hannah ( Anderson ) Johnson. They have one son, Burwell, born April 15, 1915.
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OSCAR F. JOHNSON, member of the Gerry family of that name, and a successful young farmer of that part of Chautauqua county, N. Y., is a native of the county, and gives indication that he will worthily take place among the substantial agriculturists of the county.
He was born in Gerry. Chautauqua, county, N. Y., Nov. 23. 1884, the son of August and Gustava ( Ander- son) Johnson. of that place. The family is of Swedish origin, but in its present generation is American by birth, as well as inclination. August Johnson, father of Oscar F. Johnson, was born in Sweden, but has lived in this country most of his life, and has been a natural- ized citizen for very many years. He has, by his life of useful, productive effort, proved himself to be a good citizen, one of the type by whose energy the coun- try has advanced so rapidly during the last few decades.
Oscar F. Johnson attended the public schools of Gerry, after passing through the grades of which he began to work upon his father's farm. In course of time, he married and took a property of his own, at the same time giving his father all the aid he could in the cultivation of the home farm. And he has applied himself to agricultural work with a will to accomplish and he consequently has accomplished, his farming being in the main very successful. He is popular in the district, is a good neighbor and an earnest churchman. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and a regular co-worker and attendant at the local church of that faith.
On Aug. 2, 1905, at Gerry, Mr. Johnson was married to Vida Wilson, daughter of Darrin and Lottie Wilson, and of a family which has long been resident in Chau- tauqua county. They have one child, Clyde O., born Sept. 28, 1911.
Mr. Johnson has held closely to the district of his birth and has lived a commendable, straightforward. steady life, one such as will eventuate in the possession of a competence, both of material things and of sincere friends.
MASON H. TERRY, who for many years has been a prominent figure in the general life of Ellington, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and where he has run suc- cessfully a saw mill, besides conducting a splendid farm, is a native of this place, born Oct. 2, 1860. He is a son of lliram and Jerusha ( Hatch) Terry, old and highly respected residents of Ellington.
Mr. Terry attended as a lad the local common schools and after completing his studies at these institutions assisted his father in the work upon the latter's farm. Later he became the possessor of a farm of his own which he has conducted with a high degree of success ever ince, and which is now regarded as one of the model of it kind in this district. Later Mr. Terry bevar the operation of a saw mill at Ellington, where he handles a large quantity of timber felled in this par' ci the county, and for the finished product of which he has a large market, not only in Ellington, but in the region adjacent thereto. He is now recognized as one oi the Here ful men of the community, and is promi- n' mitly affiliated with the Jamestown National Bank. In prolet . he 1 a Republican, being a staunch supporter of the principles and policies of that party and taking an
active part in its affairs, although he has consistently avoided anything like public office or political prefer ment of any kind. He is a member of the local Grange In religions belief Mr. Terry is a Congregationalist anc attends the church of that denomination at Ellington.
Mason H. Terry was united in marriage, April 7 1897, at Ellington, with Harriet M. Rice, born here Ang. 20, 1870, a daughter of Augustus C. and Harriet ( Bush) Rice, and they are the parents of four chil- dren, as follows : Howard R., born July 10, 1900; Rich- ard B., born Sept. 30, 1902; Lewis M., born July 4: 1906, and Edward H., born Aug. 11, 19II.
MARY R. ALLEN, who is now living in com- fortable retirement at Kennedy, Chautauqua county, N. Y., and esteemed by a large circle of friends in that section of the county, is a native of the county, and comes of an old Chautauqua county family ; also Charles G. Allen, whom she married, came from a family which for at least three generations has had residence within the county.
Mary R. Allen was born in the town of Clymer, April 24, 1843, and received her academic education in the schools of that place. Her maiden name was Randall, her parents being Moses and Larry (Carr) Randall, of Clymer, where her father was a prosperous and re- spected farmer. She married, at Kennedy, N. Y., Charles G. Allen, son of Charles and Delilah Allen. He was born in Ellery township, in 1843, and lived a long life of industrious and successful farming at Ken- nedy, N. Y. They were the parents of George Randall Allen, who was born at Kennedy, and has, by his steady life and commendable characteristics, gained for himself a firm place in the respect of most residents in the dis- trict. Mrs. Allen has for more than fifty years had part in the social and community activities, included in which has been much church work in Kennedy and the vicinity, and she is revered by many people for her kindly qual- ities and charitable spirit.
MARCUS L. WAITE, well-to-do farmer of Ken- nedy, N. Y., in which section of Chautauqua county he has lived practically all his life, is a representative of the successful agriculturists of that part of the county. He has developed a substantial acreage until it has become valuable, has aquired a comfortable competence, and has raised a worthy family of seven children. He comes of an old Chautauqua county family, and was born in Poland, Aug. 14, 1849, the son of John B. and Delitha (Crandall) Waite. llis father did some farm- ing in the county, and later in life was a general store keeper at Mud Creek.
Marcus L. Waite received his early education in the public schools of his native place and eventually was a student at the Jamestown College. For three years after leaving college he was a school teacher, but eventually he took a farm and has reached success in that honest occupation. Ile has for very many years given loyal allegiance to the Republican party in poli- tics, but has not taken active part in political work; he has preferred to attend to matters of production upon his own farm, and has always steadfastly refused any suggestion that he take public office. In affairs con-
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nected with the local Grange, however, he has taken a keen interest ever since he became a member of it and has also, with his family, taken good part in the social community activities of the neighborhood, where the family is generally respected.
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